A site for my handmade cards, accompanied by my photos and written meanderings which are occasionally witty, often tongue-in-cheek, and rarely profound. Beginning in June 2013, you'll also see lots of NBUS, which is an acronym I coined for Never-Before-Used-Schtuff. Note: my Privacy Policy can be found at a tab below. Thanks for coming by! Have a beverage and enjoy!

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January 16, 2013

Today me and the Mister have been married 42 years! It is occasions like this that make me nag you to enjoy each and every day. They whoosh by in the blink of an eye!

(If you're just here for a card, today it's taking second fiddle and it's all the way at the bottom.)

Last week I posted a couple of pictures of me and the Mister in our early days. Here is another one of us together, taken in one of those popular (at the time) photo booths where you got a strip of photos for (prolly) a nickel. I always liked this one. We were 20 years old.

We met in September 1969, got engaged in July 1970, and got married in January 1971. Mister was in his senior year at Iowa State University. After graduation, he was going to graduate school at USC in southern California where I had found a job. Since we were moving out to California right after he graduated, we got married during winter break and splurged on a 2-night honeymoon at the Holiday Inn in the big city of Chicago, which was within driving distance.

Some of you know from earlier posts that I had no family at the time, except for a sister I had just reunited with shortly before, so it was a very small wedding. We lived on pennies, so I made my wedding gown and two bridesmaid gowns. I still can't believe I did that. At the time, however, everyone we knew lived on pennies so we didn't think it was any big whoop. We were so happy.

Fast forward 42 years and, while Mister has aged, he is still strikingly handsome.

Here is a darling picture of him taken with the twins, Henry and Adam, just this past Sunday on a beautiful day with the San Francisco skyline on the horizon.

Now, look closer. Here, I'll blow it up for you:

I know it's hard to draw your eyes away from those adorable twins, but 42 years later and I ended up with a handsome guy who can't button his shirt right.

It's okay. I'm sure there are any number of times when I no longer button my shirt right. I'm just too smart to get caught by a camera. The above picture now ranks up there with my top ten favorites photos because it makes me laugh out loud. And, wildly, I love my Mister more now than I did when we were so impossibly young, in what seems like 15 minutes ago.

~~~

I've brought you up to date on my wedding story and now I'd like to see a photo of YOUR wedding day! My friend Ardyth and I got to talking that just for fun she should set up a special link on her website, MASKerade, so that you can link up YOUR wedding photo! I hope you will join in the fun by clicking on her link and I wish you a Happy Anniversary, too, whenever it is!

ETA: After drafting this last night and just as I was getting set to schedule the post for after midnight and go to bed, a number of anniversary wishes to us, on your posts, started hitting the Blogwaves. Thank you all so much! I knew Ardyth was doing the wedding photo link, but I had no idea that she was spreading the word, as well. In fact, I emailed her yesterday afternoon about what a surprise our link would be for everyone! Hoot! She must have fallen off her chair laughing at my innocence!! Thank you, Di! Thank you, Annie! Thank you, Vicky. Thank you to all the other "ring-leaders" I don't know about yet, who spread the word, and to all of you who have sent us virtual cards, congratulations, and well-wishes! Mostly, thank you, dear Ardy, for this most wonderful tribute for me and the Mister!! It is such a treat! I am so, so blessed.
~~~

Finally, (geez) here's the anniversary card I made for Mister! I found a cute graphic from cowboychuck on the Intertube of a couple on a motorcycle and it just so happens to be perfect for the really delightful sketch this week at Retrosketches by Arielle. It's another CAS card sketch that I'll return to again and again.

Here's my card:

Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy your day. LITS*!

As always,
thank you so much for stopping by to visit the Playhouse. Special thanks to you
if you take the time to join as a follower or leave a comment!

Oh Darnell, I can't stop laughing at the buttons! A brilliant photo and love the photo booth pic of you both and your wedding photo is beautiful and look at you in your gorgeous handmade dress - wow! Happy Anniversary my dear friend... Hugs, Annie xx

I was just dabbing at my eyes with a tissue about the retro photos and happy story Darnell when on came the buttons! How typical of you to make us cry then make us laugh! Have a very happy day. No, SERIOUSLY have a very happy day! Vicky x

Happy Anniversary Darnell and Mister - 43 wonderful years - thats quite an achievement and I hope you both have a lovely day celebrating:) Also thanks for making me laugh with the buttons....I hadn'even noticed! Big hugs x x

Sweet photo of you both in the booth, love the one with the twinks and buttons and the wedding photo ... wow ... you made that gown?? Oh and such a perfect card ...love it! Congratulations again! Anita :)

Wow congratulations and happy anniversary to you both. Heres to many, many more. It was so lovely to see your photos and I too laughed at the one with the shirt, guess my mum was right when she said, laughter together will take you all the way. Hugs to you both, Amanda x

Oh, Darnell, you almost have me in tears! Your mister sure is just as (if not more) handsome as he was way back when. Your love shines through your posts, and you're an inspiration. You met the month I was born. :-) My hubby and I have been together 20 years this year, I can't wait for all the years to come! Oh, and your card is PERFECT!

I can tell by this post exactly why you and Mister are still together. (1) you started on pennies - you had to work together, (2) you are amused by his quirks and failings, (3) your LITS outlook will get you through most difficulties and (4) it doesn't hurt that he's quite handsome!!

Happy Anniversary Darnell & Mister! & here's to many more! I hope me & my hubby enjoy the happiness you have. I will post my wedding photo over wtih Ardyth, although it is only 7 months ago we got married!

Happy Anniversary sweet Darnell and the Mister, but I might have said that already! LOVE the photos, especially the one in the photo booth, ah, young love, long may it last. Starting on pennies is the best way, everything you have is really appreciated. It's obvious why those twinks are so scrummy, they have great jeans. And the mister just wants you to have a happy life, laugh and have good fodder for blog posts! We all thank him!!

Happy Anniversary, Darnell and Mister. Thank you for sharing all the photos and story. My husband and I just celebrated our 23rd a few weeks ago and I, too made my wedding dress and helped the bridesmaids make theirs.Have a wonderful day!Heather T

I have a question - 2013 - 1971 equals 42 (in my world). Is math different in California, or was it just different back in 1971? lol! Or do you mean you're starting your 43rd year of marriage? Love the photos - hope you enjoy the round up of all the cards and photos today! Your card is perfect for the occasion!

Happy anniversary to you and Mister!! Your photos are fabulous! The first one made me go, "Awwwww!" You guys look so adorable. And wowsers on making your own wedding dress! It's gorgeous! Yes, Mister is still a handsome dude and I totally noticed the shirt right away. Tee hee! As for your card - perfection!

Congratulations and Happy Anniversary! I love the photos, and your wedding dress was beautiful!! I think we all started out on pennies back in those days, because life wasn't about extravagant living in the 60's. We got married in '68 and just celebrated our 44th in December, so I can clearly identify with those days! The picture of mister is hilarious with the shirt being buttoned wrong, but that just makes him more lovable I'm sure! Here's to many more years together! Woot!

Congratulations Darnell, to you and your Mister. Happy Anniversary. You brought a tear to my eye with this post. Here's to many more happy years together.My Mister and I have made 25 years this year (in July), they've not all been easy but I wouldn't change a thing. If I can dig out a photo I'll link it. xxx

Lovely,lovely piccies Darnell-one thing that shines out through each and every one of them and that is your love for each other :)I have laughed at Mister's shirt-bless him,he will never live that down now ! tee hee-and the card you made is fabulous- a perfect image !! Love,Nessa :) xx

Congratulations and happy anniversary. Your post is just so sweet, and it is so inspirational to see the love that is so strong after so many years. And, your grandsons are such handsome boys, too. It runs in the family, I see.

Wow Darnell, what a joyous post, you are both so lucky to still have each other's love and support after all these years. Enjoy your celebrations (whatever you may be getting up to!) and wishing you both many more joyous years to come. Xx

Darnell, that shirt buttoning photo is definitely a keeper! LOL! What a hoot! :)

Your card is just THE cutest! Just reminded me of our engagement picture...DH rode motorcycles in his younger days and one was included in our photo! I need to do some digging and see if I can find it!

Love all these photos of you and your special man! Time really does fly, but it looks like you've been enjoying the moments together! Wishing you many more!!!

Congratulations to you and Mister! I hope the two of you have a fabulous day. I love your sweet story and your photos are ever sweeter! I love that you made your own dress, I made mine too. Love the shirt photo too, what a doll. Enjoy your day with your Mister.

Oh Dippy, Happy, Happy anniversary to both you and Mister - what a wonderful goal of 42 years. Just love the photos but, like you, had to laugh out loud at the button thingy! Made my day - but then you often do. Pop on over to my blog cause there's something there for you.........there was a lot of chatting on the intranet last night I'm telling you (and, whispering so no-one else can hear, it's all Ardyth's fault!

Congratulations on 42 years of wedded bliss and indeed the time goes by WAY to fast. Your 'mister' is handsome, more now than 42 years ago, in spite of not knowing how to button his shirt, hilarious. You are beautiful and 'well preserved' too! Your wedding photo is wonderful, loved reading your story and wow you made that dress with your own two hands ? I'm impressed !!!!!!! Cheers to the both of you, Shirleyxx ps.. if I had a scanner that was working I would have joined in on the wedding photo fun.

happy anniversary, darnell!! love your wedding picture... you look absolutely fabulous in your dress! your sewing skills look pretty amazing to me!! i got a good snort out of your comment about mister not being able to button his shirt... but yes, you do have a good looking hubby. your card is so very sweet, too.

Happy Anniversary. Your two looked adorable back then and your are quite the seamstress. You are right, - he is still a looker today, he's one of those misters that gets even better with age. Good looking kiddos also. I found your blog through Carol L and I'm very happy I did. Looking forward to more postings of yours. Enjoy your evening.

I think you've made the perfect card for your Mister on your anniversary. And those pictures are adorable. I love the one with the twinks. I do that myself more and more. Your wedding dress was beautiful and extra special that you made it yourself. We got by on so much less that our kids think they can. But weren't those times fun and we learned to be creative! I hope you've enjoyed your day and I'm so glad we could give back some of the love that you spread around every day.

Your anniversary card to your husband is precious. LOVE IT!!!The picture of your husband with his shirt had me in stitches.You are a talented seamstress as your wedding gown is beautiful.May you & your husband have another 42 years together and more!

Mz D & Mr..I hope your day was just filled with wonderful happiness, because you give so much to your followers. Your card was just nifty, perfect for the 2 of you. And I adored the pictures...how young you were! (I'm sure we never were!) Loved the buttons & the twinkies too. We all lived on a lot less back then, & ours was a few years earlier...then 4 years on Navy pay, with a baby. Wow-dunno how we managed. Your dress was beautiful, and how skilled you were even back then. This was a marvelous post with laughter & love. I wish you another wonderful 42 years of happiness. Hugs.

Darnell, this has got to be one of my favorite posts of yours ... LOVE the photo booth pic of you both ... such sweetness in both of your body languages. And I'm so amazed that you MADE your wedding dress. What?!? That's crazy! You must have been so proud of yourself! And lastly, the zoomed in photo ... hahaha!!! That is so darn funny. Even funnier since the shirt has STRIPES. A keeper, for sure. Well, a very happy anniversary to you and Mister, Darnell. I hope you two are having a great celebration tonight!

Oh I loved all the pictures! You are both just the cutest couple. I am so proud of you for making your own dress. My mom made mine. I am sorry but I did laugh out loud when I saw the buttons , you are so right we just would never be in a photo . Enjoy your day! You are so blessed to have the family you always wanted now!

Congratulations! Darnell and Mister on your 42nd Anniversary. I love your card Darnell, might just have to case it!! My husband and I will celebrate our 40th Anniversary on 5th Feb, our daughters are planning some sort of celebration, can't wait to see what eventuates. LOL

I too add my congratulations on your anniversary. What a great story and pictures. Thanks for sharing and a big hug to you and your Mister. Nice to know his name now - he sure is handsome - as are the kids! Who cares about the shirt! :)

Wow, I just popped over from Retro Sketch challenge to say I love your take on the sketch! Imagine my surprise to see you had 66 comments already! I loved reading about your wedding - what a wonderful post and congrats on 42 years!

Happy, happy anniversary! It's been so fun to see everyone's pictures today. I love your wedding photo and especially the photo booth picture. I used to love those photo booths! Your anniversary card for Mister is wonderful., and I'm still laughing about his buttons. I didn't even notice at first. :) ann

Oh Darnell, you and your husband are so sweet! And the picture with the buttons had me laughing so hard I almost fell off my sofa! Congratulations on your anniversary, and may you be blessed with many, many more!

I found your blog, through Carol's blog (out Little Inspirations) and I am so glad I did. It is definitely being bookmarked to read some more! Your post made my day. Happy Anniversary to you, and boy did it bring back memories for me too. I'm married a LONG time. I can so relate to much of what you said, the one problem is I can't add a wedding photo, since we "eloped" we never had one. (my one big regret in life--the lack of a picture)Your blog is lots of fun, and your card is great...thanks for sharing.

Sorry I am late again ~ belated anniversary wishes. Fantastic dress ~ OMG ~ you made it yourself (it appears you have always very creative and talented)! What a wonderful and special accomplishment to be happily married for 42 years ~ wishing you 42 more!

Just found your blog. Happy belated Anniversary. You made your own dress?? Wowsers, you are one very talented lady. I couldn't sew a straight seam to save my life. Love the card and the photos My hubby and i have been wed for 32.5 interesting years. He also rides and has been since long before I met him. Told him that if he ever sold the bike, I would divorce him. LOL. My man is just a big boy disguised as a man. His toys get bigger and more expensive with age. Enjoy your time together.

Wonderful photos, a smashing husband and a really fun card! I always enjoy your posts! Maybe one day I'll show my wedding picture... We got 25 years this month, but my father in law died that day and we did not feel like celebrating....next year has to be better!

Wow, I love your wedding dress Auntie and I am impressed that you made it yourself! I would never have had the nerve, would have messed up all that beautiful material. But you did great! I love the pictures of you and the Mister, you make a beautiful couple!! And your still as beautiful today together! Yes, he is a very handsome man and you are a very beautiful woman-I think you both won big time! I so remember those photo booths, they were so fun. Such a cute picture of you both and I can see the love in your eyes. Young love, old love...it just always gets better with time even though that time flies by. Love the picture with the Mister and the twins, but I had to laugh even before you pointed it out that the Mister hadn't button his shirt right. I blew the picture up to make sure the shirt wasn't just caught up in his pants or something, but nope, the bands didn't match and the shirt wasn't buttoned right. I can only laugh at this because I am so famous for putting my shirts on inside out! Only I don't get caught on film either, but have gotten caught in public. Thankfully it was a shirt that could really couldn't tell and hubby told me not to worry about it because it didn't look inside out. I however was horrified and had to go to the car and hunker down to spin it around! lol Yes, so funny and I can so relate to the Mister. Now onto your anniversary card, OMGosh, it cracked me up too because it was perfect for you both! Love that sketch too. A big Happy Anniversary to you both even though I am late in my wishes!!!! Dwayne and I were married Feb. 13, 93. We had snow the night before and we had to make tracks ourselves since the snowplows hadn't gone yet. We went to Gettysburg, PA to the Magistrate, 13 years later we remarried in the Catholic church. Dwayne told me it was good luck to snow on your wedding day and of course I believed him. It was for us anyway! We got married with all our boys there and a few other family members. Came home, made the boys lunch, took them sledding and then lady got dressed up and went out to dinner at Deer Lodge. The boys stayed with their aunt and uncle over night. Next day we had a tiny reception up at the In-Law's and the rest is history. Hugs, Brenda

I am totally Post hopping out of order, but had to comment here before getting back to your 'next blog post' that I missed!Happy Anniversary to you and Kevin! Your photos are absolutely wonderful. You both look so adorable in The photo booth pic ~ yes, I remember and STILL have a few of those strips-o-photos :) And how awesome, making your own wedding and bridesmaid dresses! BEAUTIFUL! Mister is still as handsome as the dating years and I have to say, I didn't noticed the shirt because my DH frequently buttoned his wrong, but when I pointed it out, all I got was a shrug and he couldn't be bothered fixing it. :-) Your Anniversary card seems perfect for you two!

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About Me

I have been stamping and making cards since 2002. I've been married 47 years to Kevin, known herein as "Mister." Our son Daniel and his wife Rachel have twin sons Henry and Adam. Card-making and blogging are wonderful hobbies which have brought me noodles of friends! Oh, and I have an imaginary hamster named Hammy who keeps me in line. Thank you for visiting, joining, and commenting! It will be my pleasure to return the flavor!!